MORE than 2,400 children flocked to Merseyside for the third annual Woolton tournament - with a stag-gering 666 games taking place over three days.

All but two finals in the nine separate age groups were decided on penalties, with one of the spot-kick wins being Everton girls under-12s' triumph over Leighbridge in the tournament's first ever girls' category..

Penalties from Kim Fitzsimmons, Jessica Hindley and Katie Johnson gave Everton a 3-0 penalty win after the match ended 1-1 in normal time.

Fitzsimmons had put the Blues ahead before Leighbridge equalised to take the match to penalties.

Springwood Youth under-9s and Allerton under-14s were the only teams to win their section without needing to resort to penalties.

Springwood Youth rounded off their treble-winning season with a 3-1 success over Ellesmere Port's Princes Villa. Barlows beat Paschal Ola 2-0 to claim third place.

Flint Juniors under-14s met their match when they came up against Allerton in the semi-final as the local

side ran out comfortable 3-1 winners. In the other semi Calderstones overcame Tommy Mc's 2-0 to secure a final place against their local rivals. However Allerton proved stronger in the final, defeating Calderstones 2-0.

Sides from the Tuebrook Junior league dominated the under-13s division, Nalgo edging past Crosby Stuart 1-0 in the semi-final and Houldings Blue defeating Houldings White by the same scoreline to guarantee an all-Tuebrook final.

Despite a goalless final, Nalgo proved deadlier from the spot to enjoy a 4-2 win.

In the under-10s quarter-finals TMS Boys put out Springwood Boys 4-3 on penalties and Netherley Woodlane Legion suffered a 4-3 penalty defeat at the hands of Oldham side Chaddy End A.

Elsewhere, Finn Harp Panthers grabbed a dramatic last minute equal-iser in normal time against Belle Vale Colts before defeating Colts 4-3 on penalties. Both semi-finals were won by a single goal, with TMS Boys putting out Finn Harps Panthers and Chaddy End A overcoming AC Dynamoes 1-0.

In the final, TMS Boys came close to retaining their title, but Chaddy End A held their nerve to win 4-3 on penalties, after the match ended goalless.

Crosby Stuart under-11s met Redgate Rovers in the final where again dreaded penalties were required to settle the game, and this time it was Redgate Rovers who went home with the trophy.

Springwood Colts defeated Chelwood Rangers on penalties in the final of the under-8s competition, while Mayfield Rovers beat Barlows in the third place play-off. DYNAMIC DUO: Redgate Rovers captain Thomas McDonald and keeper Tom Simpson with their under-11s trophies code: 300505e code: 300505b